Trimming mechanism for linotype-machines.



Patented Uct'. 3|, I899. F. J. WICH.

TRIMMING MECHANISM FOR LINOTYPE MACHINES. (Application filed Dec. 31, 1897.)

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@MQWJ No. 635,830. Patented Oct. 31, I899.

F. J. WICH.

TRIMMING MECHANISM FOR LINOTYPE MACHINES.

(Application filed. Dec. 31, 1897.) (No Model.) v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2,

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No. 635,830. Patented Oct. 3!, I899.

F. J. WlCH.

TRl-MNIING MEBHANISM FOR LINUTYPE MACHINES.

(Application filed Dec. 81, 1897.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

NITED STATES ATENT FFICE.

FERDINAND JOHN WICH, OF MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TRIMMING MECHANISM FOR LlNOTYPE-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 635,830, dated October 31, 1899.

Application filed December 31,1897. Serial No. 666,041. No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, FERDINAND JOHN WICH,

a subject of the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at N o. 11 Hulme street, Oxford road, Manchester, in the county of Lancaster, England, have the invention, reference being made to the ac- I 5 companying drawings, which are to be taken as part of this specification and read therewith, and one which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to improvements in and connected with the trimming mechanism of linotype-machines.

The majority-of linotypes have both sides of their printing edges parallel with each other and'are trimmed by being pushed, edge on, between two knives parallel and practically coterminous with each other and separated by a distance equal to the standard thickness of linotype.

There are other linotypes, technically known as two-line-cap linotypes-such as shown in United States Letters Patent No. 55l,981the sides of whose printing edges are not parallel by reason of at least one capital 5 letter being twice as long from top to bottom as a normal capital of the respective font. A familiar instance of a two-line capital in a printed line is the W at the head of a Wanted advertisement. Such a capital is, generally speaking, twice as long from top to bottom as the other five letters of the word. It may of course be longer than that; but they are generally only twice as long, occupying the initial position in two lines. Hence their 5 name. Whether they are two-line caps or longer than that, they are to be understood, for the purpose of this specification, as included under the term enlarged letters, hereinafter used to designate them. The en- 0 largement of the letterthat is, the portion of it beyond the normal size-is supported by a bracket-piece. This enlargement and bracket-piece are commonly described as the projection. It projects from the top of the linotype and overhangs the respective side of the latter accordingly.

The presence of two-line capitals is not restricted to the head of the printed line, although they occur there oftener than elsewhere along it. The display-lines of com- 6o mercial advertisements frequently have them as the initial letters of every word in the line.

It is obvious that the presence of even one projection on a linotype will make the trimming of the latter by the two coterminous knives above mentioned impracticable,for the reason that the projection would be shorn off.

Considerable attention has been given by different inventorsthe inventor in the present case among the number-to the subject of trimming-knives adapted to deal with a linotype having enlarged characters somewhere along their length. The first in the field in that respect was Matthew H. Whittaker with the invention described in the specification of Letters Patent No. 562,560.

'The invention in that case makes a short portion of the knife on the projection side of the linotype separate from the other and major portion of the knife and pivots it upon the knife-block-the base to which both knives are made fast-in such a way that the turning of a handle through an angle of forty-five degrees turns the pivoted portion of the knife through the same are and leaves a gap between the two portions, through which the projection may safely pass without fear of being shorn off. It has also been proposed to provide for the establishment of the gap above described by making a portion of the 0 knife capable of being moved out of the path of the projection by being slid away transverselythat, is in a line at right angles with the edge of the knife; but it is obvious that the fixity of the position of the gap limits the 5 trimming capacity of the respective knife to liuotypes Whose projections occupy positions exactly corresponding with that of the said gap. It has also been proposed to provide for the whole knife on the projection side of the linotype being moved out of the path of the projection and returned into its normal po- IOO sition, both motions being in the direction of the edge of the knife.

The necessity of working the knives just described by hand constitutes a diminution requisition, it has been proposed to make the knife automaticin respect of both its motions, and consequently independent of the operator. According to such proposition the projection engages a trigger as it is pushed toward the trim ming-knives, thereby releasing a spring which pulls the knife out of the path of the projection, the knife being returned to its normal position by some moving member of the machine. Full particulars are given in the specification of Letters Patent of the United States No. 614,590; but it is obvious that the motion of the knife in the direction of its edge must in any case, unless the enlarged character he an initial one, leave untrimmed as much of the side of the linotype as the knife has, by reason of its having been moved away, ceased to stand in front of. The following illustrations of different instances will make this point quite clear. In the line BARGAIN: Banjo; 7 strings, brass mounts;

cost 6,

there is only one enlarged letter, and that is at the head of the line. Consequently the movement of the knife which suffices to clear the projection in this instance leaves knifeedge standing in front of all the rest of the respective linotype.

It is not often that a line occurs with a single enlarged letter or group of enlarged letters along its length intermediate of its two ends, such as the following: DIAMOND JUBILEE PLAYING CARDS But such a one may occur. In dealing with such a linotype it is obvious that the movement of the knife in either direction to clear the projections leaves one of the outer thirds of the linotype untrimmed. The third instance,

BROOKE, Bonn AND COMPANY, LIMITED,

being automatically moved out of the path of the projection or of the projections, as many of the latter as there may be, and, further, of

being returned into its or their normal position before the next linotype is'pushed forward to the trim ming position. This capacity for being moved out of the path of the linotype may be imparted to the said knife either by pivoting it upon a vertical axis which may be somewhere in the knife-block or by making it to slide to and fro transversely of the edge of the knife. There must be combined with either a pivoted or a sliding knife a suitable mechanism adapted to insure the removal of it for a sufficient distance so,as to require only a slight or initial push from the projection and a further mechanism adapted to return the said knife to its normal position.

The present invention does not limit me as to the exact details of the mechanisms forinsuring the removal of the knife and for returning it for, provided that the functions are properly secured, such details may be varied to any extent. I propose to pivot a trigger upon the rear face of the knife, the nose of it standing in the path of the projection at a point between the latter and the edge of the knife. The latter is always under the pull of a removing-spring, but is supported in its working position against such pull by a pivoted strut, which is linked to the trigger above mentioned on the opposite side of its fulcrum. The initial push on the nose of the trigger makes the latter pull the strut away and leaves the knife at the mercy of the removing-spring. Any suitablyposi tioned reciprocating organ of the machine is made by means of a suitable link or lever or equivalent device capable of returning the knife to its normal or cutting position. The strut is next returned to its normal position by a suitable spring or otherwise.

The present invention has been developed for use on the Mergenthaler linotype-machin e, a machine which is described in the specification of Letters PatentNo. L3U,532. For that reason the special forms which it is proposed to give it when made for that have been chosen for illustration.

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the knifeblock and the trimming mechanism. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan taken along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, including the mold-wheel, a linotype, and the stud on the mold-wheel slide. Fig. 3 is a side elevation from the right hand of the machine. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the pivoted knife and its pivot detached from the knife-block. Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of a seven-section pivoted knife. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the same knife and its pivot detached from the knife-block. Fig. 7 is a rear elevation of one of the trip'levers of Fig. 5.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, O is a newly-cast linotype standing in the mold-cavity 0, in which it has just been cast. The cavity 0 is in a detachable block 0 which is made fast .to the front face of a mold wheel O. This latter receives, through its gear teeth, a regulated rotary motion to enable it to present the mold-cavity first to the casting mechanism and afterward to the trimming mechanism. It has also a to-and-fro motion relatively to the stationary front of the machine. 10 is one of a set of sockets on the front face of the said wheel 0, and p is one of a pair of studs projecting from the rear face of the stationary front above mentioned, two sockets fitting over the pair of studs in each forward position of the mold-wheel O to prevent its moving on its axis accidentally.

P is the knife-block. It is a part of the stationary frame above mentioned and has the two trimming-knives bolted to it. Hence its name.

N N are the two knives in question, each complete in one piece and of sufficient length to trim the linotype throughout its length. One of them, N is always fast to the knifeblock. The other of them, N being the one on the projection side of the linotype, is the one concerned by the present invention.

y is the projection on the linotype. According to the construction and working of the Mergenthaler linotype-machine the projection is always on the right-hand side (looking from the front of the machine) of the linotype when the latter is in the trimming position, and that is the reason why it is the right knife thatis affected by-the presentinvention.

The exact position along the linotype O of the projection y (illustrated in Fig. 2) is not defined in the drawings for the reason that the construction of the knife N and its mechanism is independent of such position, the construction being such that the said knife can be released either by a projection or projections in any position along the linotype or by a row of projections extending throughout the length of the line indifferently.

The knife is wide enough to reach to the front of the knife-block P. The latter is suitably shaped to accommodate the altered size and shape of the knife in question, as well as to receive the attendant devices and to make, room for their operation. I 2

N is a plate fast ,to the front of the knife! N and projecting therefrom to the right hand; in front of the knife-block P for a purpose? which will appear later on.

N is a pivot upon which the knife N to rns. It is shown as a pin having its bearings in the top and bottom of the knife-block P.

N 51 is the trigger. It is a bar as long as the linotype C in order that even only a single projection may engage it, no matter whereabout along the said linotype that projection may be. It is pivoted upon an axis on the rear face of the knife-block P. This axis is parallel with the axis of the knife. It is shown as pivoted to two studs N N projecting from the rear face of the knife-block P, slots N in the trigger N into which the studs N are respectively entered, and pins N passed through the said trigger and the heads of the respective stud. The position of the trigger-axis with reference to the trigger-nose is such that the latter shall stand inthe forward path of the projection or projections y, as the case may be, until it shall have been turned on its axis far enoughto release the knife N N isa spring or one of a pair of springs pulling from a fixed point or points on the right-' hand side of the knife-block P on the knife N somewhere between the edge and the axis of it. The function of this spring is to remove the knife N out of the path of the projection or projections y by pulling it into the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. The said knife is, however, supported in its working position, the one indicated by the full lines in the figure, by a strut. This is shown as consisting of a pair of short bars N N. Each of these bars stands normally between a projection N on the right side of the knife N and a set-screw N in the opposite portion of the knife-block P, the base, of it against the said screw and its nose against the said projection. It is preferred that there should be a set-screw instead of a solid portion of knife-block for such base to bear upon in order that the position of the nose maybe adjusted. Each bar N is connected with the adjacent end of the trigger N by a link N the point of connection between the said link N and trigger N being on the opposite side of the trigger-axis to that on which stands the edge of the knife N N is a returning-spring pulling from a fixed point on the knife-block, on the righthand side of the knife-block, on the nose of each bar N The pull of the link N on the one side of the bar and that of the returningspring on the other rock the bar first in one direction and then in the other. The journal for each bar is seated in a recess N in the knife-block P, the boss of the bar being suitably rounded to facilitate its rocking motion.

The axis on which the wheel 0 is mounted projects from a part known as the moldwheel slide, and this latter is the part of the machine which has been chosen to act as the suitably-positioned reciprocating organ above mentioned by means of a pin n ,which is fast to it and projectsfrom the right side ofit for a suitable distance. The mold-wheel slide is not included in the drawings, so that it must be borne in mind that the 'pin just described shares the to-and-fro motion of the moldwheel 0.

N is alink detachable from the pinn and pivoted by its opposite end to the adjacent arm of a bell-crank lever N having its fulcrum N 64 on the right side of the knife-block P. The opposite armthe one nearest to the front of the machine--is pivoted upon the side of a vertical bar N The latter is kept in a vertical position by a link N, which is symmetrical in all respects with the front arm of the bell-crank lever N The length of the last-mentioned arm and the position of the.

fulcrum are such that the bar N is nearly always in touch with the plate N The action of the invention is as follows: The mold-Wheel O has an intermittent to-andfro motion. Figs. 1 and 3 show it in its front position. As the link N moves with it into that position the bar N is moved into the position illustrated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. If the linotype C be an ordinary one-z'. 6., with both the sides of its printing edge oparallel-the knife N will remain in its normal position, the one indicated, by the full lines of Fig. 1. The presence of the projection or projections y contemplated by the present invention is indicated by the dotted lines in the said figure. As the wheelO is advancing to its front position the trigger N will obviously betripped into the position illustrated by the dash-and-dot line and the two bars N be pulled away until they clear the projections N ,whereupon the removing-spring N pulls the knife N and the attendant parts into the positions indicated by the respective dotted lines. As the mold-wheel O is moved backward away from the knife-block P the bar N is pulled by the link N and the bellcrank lever N downward and backward, so as to pull the plate N up to the front of the knife-block P, thereby returning the knife N into its normal position.

The foregoing construction just described makes the knife N on the projection side of the linotype O capable of being bodily and automatically moved out of the path of j the projection or projections 3 on the linotype and of being returned into its normal position. Thus it is applicable to any of the three instances detailed above; but it does not include any provision for trimming those portions of the printing edge 0 from which projections are absent.

The object of the construction, next described extends the same automatic retreating capacity only to that particular portion of the same knife which stands in front of an advancing projection, so that those portions of the linotype C which do not carry projections y are sure of finding corresponding portions of trim ming-knife in position to deal with them, whereby the linotype itself, by virtue of the position of its projection or projections 1 along its length, exercises a selection as to the portions of the knife which shall remain active or in trimming position and the portions which shall be retracted and rendered inoperative. This faculty of selection is. of the essence of the invention.

Figs. 5, b, and 7illustrate the same pivotal motion for the portions of the knife N, as compared with a sliding motion, as is illustrated in the preceding figures. It must be understood that a sliding one is to be regarded as an alternative included within the present invention. The knife on the projection side of the linotype is divided into sections or layers N The .figuresshow the knife consisting of seven horizontal sections and all of the same thickness. The knife thus formed presents a divided or sectional cutting edge, each section adaptedto be swung back to an inactive position in order to permit the. passage of the ear or shelf on the linotype, while the other sections remain in operative position to act on those portions of the linotype which are without the overhanging shelf or car. Whether there are more or less than the number of sections shown or whether they difier in thickness is a matter of detail to be decidedaccording to the circumstances of each particular case. It is desirable that there should be as many as practicable, all of the same thickness, in order that as small a proportion as possible of trimming edge not opposite to a projection should be moved out of ,the way and that all the sections should be pivoted upon a common axis.

Each section N must have its own removing mechanism, which isa replica of that described with reference to the preceding figuresi. 6., trigger N spring N bar N projection N set-screw N recess N link N and spring N each returning mechanism being restricted to the space immediately in front of the respective section.

The mechanism for returning as many sections as have been moved out of the way is a replica of the one already described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4c.

While I prefer to employ the pivoted knife, as herein shown, to swing away from the path of the linotype, it is of course to be understood that knives otherwise mounted to retreat from their operative positions will come within the scope of myinvention if combined with automatic controlling devices substantially such as herein described. Knives which slide to and fro instead of swinging about the center are already known in the art in various forms.

I claim- 1. In a linotype-machine, the combination of a knife mounted to retreat laterally from the path of the linotype, knife-retracting devices adapted to be operated by a projection on the linotype, and automatic mechanism to return the knife to its normal position, substantially as described.

2. In a linotype-machine, the combination of a knife pivoted to swing out of the path of the projection on the outgoing linotype, kniferetracting mechanism adapted to be controlled by such projection, and automatic mechanism for returning the knife to its normal position.

3. In a linotype-machine, a trimming-knife composed of independently-retractable cutting-sections, mechanism controlled by projections in the outgoing linotype to efiect the retraction of the respective sections, and mechanism for automatically restoring the sections to their operative position.

A. In alinotype-machine, a trimming-knife comprising three or more cutting-sections, independently retractable to permit the passage of linotypes having overhanging projections at either end or at the middle, as may be required.

5. In a iinotype-machine, a trim ming-knife pivoted to swing back from the path of the linorype, a retracting-spring, and a locking device adapted to be tripped by a projection on the outgoing iinotype.

6. In a linotype-machine, the combination of a pivoted knife, its retracting-spring, its looking or supporting device, adapted to be tripped by the linotype, and a connection, substantially as shown; to a moving part of the machine for restoring the knife to its normal position.

7. The improved knife for a linotype-machine, consisting of a series of transverse sections, mounted on a common pivot.

8. In a linotype-machine, the combination of a pivoted knife, its retracting-spring, the supporting-link N, the trip-lever N con-- nected therewith, its operating-spring, and means for restoring the knife to its operative position.

In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 30th day of July, 1897.

FERDINAND JOHN WICH.

Witnesses:

FRANCIS I. JACKSON, WILLIAM GLENN. 

